Herb Byrd

Dr. Herb Byrd is interim University of Tennessee vice president for public service. In this role, which Byrd assumed on Sept. 1, 2014, he oversees the statewide UT Institute for Public Service. His interim appointment follows the retirement of Dr. Mary Jinks after 31 years of service to the University.

Byrd has served UT in a variety of roles since joining the University in 1984, including as Monroe County agent with UT Extension and as McMinn County director for UT Adult Agriculture & Resource Development. He has been with UT Extension’s state office since 1998, where his responsibilities have included recruitment, personnel, and civil rights and service as Extension’s affirmative action and EEO officer. Byrd also was director of the Extension Evaluation and Staff Development department organized in 2003.

Prior to his current post, Byrd was human resources officer for the UT Institute of Agriculture. He has served on the staff of the UT Leadership Institute since 1999.

Byrd has a bachelor’s degree in animal science, a master’s degree in reproductive physiology, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership all from UT Knoxville. He is co-author of a trademarked beef cattle record-keeping software system released through UT.

As a volunteer in the community, Byrd has earned recognition from chamber of commerce and local government organizations, and he has worked with medical mission teams on multiple trips to serve South and Central American countries.

Byrd and his wife, Resa, live in Blount County and have three daughters and five grandchildren.